Our Services 

Patient / Visitor Info

Nursing

Campus Maps

Pre-Registration

Patient Email

Virtual Tours

Feedback

Do you wake up feeling more tired than when you went to bed? Do you suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness or morning headaches? Do you keep your family awake by snoring? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder.

 

A recent poll found that 30-35% of all Americans have some type of sleep related disorder. The effects of sleep disorders range from mere nuisances to life threatening problems. Sleep disorders can play a role in high blood pressure, heart disease, diminished work productivity, and strained family relationships.  A diagnostic service is available at Medical Center Hospital -- sleep studies for the diagnosis of sleep related disorders. Sleep studies are offered on an outpatient basis.

An individual may also contact the Lab directly, which will then direct them to a pulmonologist for initial evaluation. All patients who are tested in the Lab are first seen by a physician who is a sleep specialist

Treatment of sleep disorders varies depending on the diagnosis. Some forms of treatment available at MCH include medication therapy; the application of mechanical devices; surgery; and relaxation techniques.

Rules to a Good Night’s Sleep

•      Follow a regular schedule for sleeping and waking, even on weekends.

•      Go to bed early only when you are sleepy.

•      Establish relaxing presleep rituals such as taking a warm bath or listening to quiet music.

•      If you take a nap, try to nap at the same time daily.

•      If you have trouble sleeping at night, don’t nap during the day, as this will affect your ability to sleep.

•      Exercise at least 4-6 hours prior to going to bed.

•      Keep a regular evening meal schedule. Don’t eat a late or large evening meal or go to bed hungry.

•      Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol in the late after noon or evening.

•      Don’t use any nicotine products before going to bed.

•      If you are worried, write down your concerns, to be taken care of tomorrow, and put them out of your mind.

•      Maximize your sleeping environment by decreasing factors such as noise, light, and other disturbances.

•      Try relaxation techniques to ease you to sleep.

 

If you can’t go to sleep after 30 minutes, don’t stay in bed tossing and turning. Get up and involve your self in a relaxing activity.

The bottom line is that adequate sleep is as essential to your health as regular exercise and good nutrition. If these simple measures fail to improve your sleep, consult your physician for further evaluation.